PESHAWAR, March 1: Political and student activists on Thursday took out rallies in different parts of the provincial metropolis against desecration of Holy Quran by Nato forces in Afghanistan.

Holding banners and placards with messages against Nato and the US, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf youth and student wing activists marched from Baghi Naran to Phase-III Chowk in Hayatabad.

Furqan Kakakhel, Tajamul Hayat and Sajjad Bangash, who led protesters, blamed violence in Afghanistan on the US and said Muslims in the world should unite to force foreign troops into leaving the Islamic state for restoration of peace.

Pasban demonstrated outside Peshawar Press Club, where participants led by Asif Khan Jadoon shouted slogans against the US and Nato for burning copies of Holy Quran.

A similar demonstration was staged by PTI Peshawar chapter on Sher Shah Suri Road near the press club.

Zafar Khattak and Haji Iqbal, who led protesters, condemned the torching of the copies of Holy Quran and said the Nato forces’ act was deliberate and meant to hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims all over the world.

They regretted silence of Islamic countries by and large over the incident. They demanded that Pakistan suspend diplomatic relations with the US unless the culpable Nato soldiers were punished by death.

Also in the day, Fata Students Federation led by president Bahadar Khan Janikhel took out a rally in the city to condemn the desecration of Holy Quran by Nato forces.